Hello everyone!
This show, 'The Native Shore,' is one of those cases where no one remains unmoved after watching it. Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster, and have some tissues ready, because you'll be crying your eyes out.
Quick rundown:
The story revolves around the lives of the Morozov family - two brothers, Alexey and Stepan, and two sisters, Alena and Varvara. Their relationships with each other are complex, to say the least. The Great Patriotic War comes along and puts them through the wringer, forcing them to experience the true meaning of unconditional love, unbearable grief, and long-awaited happiness.
Release date: 11 September 2017
Genre: drama
Country: Russia
Director: Milena Fadieva
Music: Ivan Urupin
16 episodes
For moderators: all the information presented in this review matches the show's brief description and trailer.
My family's neighbor, the Morozovs, are the epitome of a traditional Russian family where the husband and wife truly love and respect each other. They've got two kids, Alexey the eldest and little Alenka. The mom's expecting their third, but then she comes back from the hospital unexpectedly with two kids. The dad was over the moon about this surprise, and the mom couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth about the second kid.
The mom's being incredibly noble by taking in the abandoned newborn girl, but at the same time, keeping it a secret from her husband will bring a lot of pain to the family. If she'd told him the truth from the start, things would've turned out differently. I get why she was too scared to tell him, fearing he'd be against the idea of another kid.
The younger kids have always had a special bond with each other since childhood and were inseparable. They'd spend all their time together, looking out for each other.
The dad's always been amazed by how much the kids love each other, but the mom's been feeling uneasy about it, wondering if she should reveal the truth. However, she couldn't muster up the courage to do so.
As the kids got older, their brotherly love started raising some suspicions in the dad's mind, and he began to wonder if they were truly siblings. The way they looked at each other was just too intense.
I watched this show, and it got me thinking about the consequences of a family's dynamics. In today's world, incest is still a taboo topic, and I can only imagine how much more complicated it must have been in the past. We, as viewers, know the truth from the start, but the characters are oblivious to it, and that's what makes it so hard to watch.
The cast is great, especially Alexei Kravchenko as the patriarch of the Morozov family. I loved how he interacted with his wife - it was so warm and loving, but his treatment of the kids was a different story. He's strict and harsh, but it's clear he's trying to prepare them for the world, even if it's not the most effective way.
I'm not sure if this kind of upbringing is good or bad, but it's definitely had a lasting impact on the Morozov children. Only the eldest son seems to have turned out okay, while the others seem to be struggling with some kind of psychological trauma.
Svetlana Kolpakova plays Daria Morozova, and she's perfect for the role. She brings a sense of warmth and kindness to the character, and it's clear she's a true Russian woman at heart. She's loving and caring, especially towards her family.
It's hard to say what sparked the older sister's actions and their consequences, but it's clear that had she been upfront about Varvara's presence in their family, things might have turned out differently. The movie's script was designed to add more tragedy to the story, and in this case, the older sister Alinka showed her cruel side by scolding her mother for all her 'sins', which was a pretty twisted move. I was taken aback by how cruel and heartless she was, and I found myself wishing I could slap her through the screen for the hurtful things she was saying to her mom.
Alinka was played by Alina Lanina. To be honest, it took me a while to adjust to seeing her as a separate character and not just the actress who played her in the TV series 'SashaTanya'. But as time went on, my opinion changed, and I saw her in a different light. She was fearless, ruthless, and completely unhinged, willing to do whatever it took to get what she wanted.
Being the middle child of a big family can be tough, especially when you feel like you're in the shadow of your younger sister Varvara. I've seen Alenka struggle with feeling unloved and neglected by her parents, which has made her grow up to be a bit self-absorbed and egotistical.
The only person she truly loves is Ignat, but unfortunately, that love isn't reciprocated, and it's led to some heartbreak and turmoil for both of them.
But Alenka's not one to give up easily, and her unrequited love has driven her to some pretty reckless behavior. She's not deterred by the fact that Ignat is twice her age or that he's married - she's determined to get what she wants, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness. And what about love? Can you really live with someone you don't love just for the sake of money? Apparently, you can.
The eldest son of the family, Alexey (played by Maxim Keren), is by far the most positive character. He exudes a unique energy of confidence, fairness, and dedication to his work. He's a true doctor, one who was born to heal - and he gives it his all, pouring his heart and soul into saving lives. Whether he's treating patients or working tirelessly behind the scenes, he's a true inspiration to us all.
Seeing him become a military doctor in the future and dedicating himself fully to his calling is truly inspiring. He's willing to go to any lengths to save the lives of thousands of soldiers, without hesitation.
Maria Smolyankova as Alexei's wife, Lilia, really stood out to me with her story. She's a kind, gentle, and delicate girl who radiates an incredible kindness and affection not only towards her husband but towards everything around her.
I'm still trying to understand why she put herself through that ordeal with her fragile emotional makeup. She really wanted to be with her husband, but unfortunately, fate had other plans, and she ended up in the midst of chaos. Despite being repeatedly discouraged from going to the front, and even being offered a transfer to a safer location once she was already there, she refused to back down. She wanted to be needed and make a difference...
It's heartbreaking to see her 'broken' by war - literally and figuratively. Her story got to me on a deep level.
Those eyes tell the whole story - how much this person has changed and the emotional pain is impossible to hide.
For actress Aryna Zharkov in the role of Varvara, this was her debut and it shows in her acting. Next to Yuri Borisov, she was clearly out of her league. And in every scene, she's got the same expression on her face.
And it's hard to tell if this reunion is a happy one for her or not - she's just not very convincing in the emotional department, in my opinion.
But Yuri Borisov in the role of Stepan is a whole different story. His character doesn't have much dialogue, but he conveys so much through his eyes - they're the kind that'll freeze your heart.
I have to say, the main character's personality is pretty complex - he's detached and wild, but deep down, he's a good guy. Even when he's getting into some shady stuff, I found myself hoping he wouldn't get caught and that everything would blow over. I kept telling myself he was driven to it by circumstance, you know?
The thing is, in the future, he'll have to make amends for his wrongdoings, but at what cost? The war has shown us who's who, after all.
Watching the movie was like being dropped into the midst of war - it's brutal and intense. I was on the edge of my seat during the battle scenes, and the way the characters were struggling to survive was heart-wrenching. The way Alexei Morozov, the older brother, was constantly awake, tending to the wounded soldiers and performing amputations, was especially harrowing. I was shocked by how graphic it was, yet at the same time, it felt authentic.
However, there was one thing that didn't sit well with me - the unrealistic battle scenes. I mean, come on, can someone really survive a tank explosion after jumping under it with a grenade? It looked like something out of a fantasy movie.
Victoria Tolstoganova played the role of a crime lord with conviction. From the moment I saw Stepan, I was hooked. I think she genuinely cared for him, but she wouldn't show it. She was so proud and important, and it wouldn't do to show weakness, but deep down, she adored him.
I just loved Yuri Borisov's role in the new movie 'Konchitsya Leto' - it's a real showstopper
Babakina, husband of Alenka was played by Vitaly Khayev. He's still a bit of a wild card, and he nailed the role. It's right up his alley - sly, cheeky, and a bit of a loose cannon. He'd do whatever it took to live the high life, even if it meant bending the rules. And in the end, people like that don't get away scot-free. They always have to pay the price - and it's rarely just money.
My overall impressions of the show.I'll be honest, it's been a long time since I've cried so hard while watching a show. This series is incredibly heavy emotionally, but you can't help but get hooked. Every character went through some kind of trauma, especially during the war. Some came back physically scarred, some were left with emotional wounds, and others didn't make it back at all. War is just brutal...
The show features some stunning Ural landscapes that really took my breath away.
The atmosphere of the pre-war and wartime setting is spot on. The costumes of the characters are perfectly in line with the era, making the whole scene feel like a genuine piece of history.
The soundtrack is expertly chosen to match the story, and it really adds to the emotional moments.
The cast is fantastic, and they all deliver top-notch performances. I've got to give a special shoutout to Yuri Borisov in the role of Stepan. I recently came across an interview with Alina, who played Alenka, Stepan's sister, and she shared a story about Yuri's approach to his roles. Apparently, after filming, the whole crew would head back to the hotel, but Yuri would stay behind in the village, living like a local and drinking sour milk. It's clear that he immerses himself in his characters.
That's why he's such a talented actor - he doesn't just play roles, he lives them. And of course, his infectious positivity and charisma really make a difference.
I highly recommend checking out this series - it's a real tear-jerker that'll leave you feeling emotional 💔